Gracious me. I have had a crazy busy week with the launch of the site, some excitement at home, and out of town visitors. I was informed early in the week that one of my siblings was graduating college Friday and had forgotten to invite or even tell me. So we scrambled to prepare for our large number of family members coming to town and to attend the ceremony. This is where the “owie” part comes in.

I dressed for the occasion in a flowery summer dress, suitable for walking downtown in hot weather. I KNEW I wanted to save my pretty feet from any pain or discomfort, particularly because I had plans to visit with some of you over the weekend. So I chose a reliably classic and attractive pair of kitten heel mules I’ve owned for a few years. I have worn them many times, although not at all in the last year; and I knew they were perfect with the dress yet comfortable enough to trek many blocks from parking to the graduation. I’d originally purchased them to attend a wedding because I knew I’d be standing for many hours, and they worked wonderfully. My shiny pedicure looked hot, and I was happy.

We found parking fairly close, only about 6 blocks away; and began hoofing it to the graduation. By the time we’d gone 5 blocks I realized I was in trouble, my feet burning in pain at the edges where the sole and upper of the shoe met; but I could do nothing; we were running a bit late, and I couldn’t explain to my guests that my new line of work required perfect feet.

We found our seats, settled in, and found our graduate; standing until all grads had entered and seated themselves. The ceremony started and I gratefully sank into the seat to check the damage. Bad. Very Bad. Blisters, large ones, on the inner arch, and top of two toes on each foot. Throughout the ceremony I could feel them welling up with fluid, able to do nothing about it.

Walking back to the car I was torn. Go shoeless and risk other damage, or make the blisters worse and larger? I chose to walk sans shoes…I am a Texas girl after all, and every one of us learns to bear the searing pavement at a very young age. It didn’t feel THAT bad- it’s no where near the heat of summer; I knew my feet would be a bit raw for a day and of course, filthy. But I also haven’t had my ’summer feet’ on hot pavement for that long in many years.

When I arrived home I rushed straight to the bath and plunged them in cool water, allowing it to soak the grime from my feet. Gingerly toweling them off, I realized the soles were more than just raw, they were actually burned on the areas of my heels where I’d placed the most pressure in an effort to keep any damage to a minimum. And very red all over the rest of the sole. You know the way your feet feel after spending several hours walking around in one of those old fashioned concrete pools? Times a hundred….OWIE!

I slathered them in antibiotic ointment and a product I use called Bio oil, and put on a pair of fluffy cashmere socks infused with aloe. That was almost a whole day ago. I haven’t taken those socks off except to check my feet and add more ointments. They hurt like hell. And don’t look so sexy bare…but they do look markedly better than last night. So, today, rather than spending time with you lovelies, I’m going to be in intensive foot care.

And, planning for this week’s gallery theme …. socks and stockings week!

Maybe some boots thrown in as well….